The Cunard building is to get two new spectacular restaurants - Australasia and Cunard House, headed up by Liverpool celebrity chef Aiden Byrne.

Liverpool City Council has signed a deal with Living Ventures which will see the world class restaurants and bars opening at the Cunard Building.

The agreement will see £6 million invested on the ground and first floors of the Grade 11* listed building, creating approximately 150 new jobs.

Living Ventures will bring two different world dining and drinking experiences to the Cunard Building, Australasia, and Cunard House as well as a training academy.

On the ground floor, Australasia will serve modern Australian cuisine combining Pacific Rim flavours underpinned by European cooking tradition. It will also have a bar serving cocktails and music from resident and guest DJ’s.

On the first floor, Cunard House will a team led by Aiden Byrne - the youngest chef to ever win a Michelin Star and former Head Chef of the Grill Room at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

It will be accompanied by cocktail bar and training academy for young chefs to train under Aiden.

Tim Bacon CEO of Living Ventures said: “I am delighted to introduce Australasia and Cunard House to Liverpool, it has always been a city very close to my heart and I am sure people will love these two new dining experiences – each will bring something totally new and dynamic to the Liverpool dining scene.

“Aiden is also very excited to be returning to his home town, Cunard House will be a showcase for the amazing food Aiden produces and the training academy will give him the opportunity to pass on his knowledge and experience to aspiring young chefs who could not ask for a better mentor.”

Subject to planning approval, the deal - which has been organised by John Hyland of Astutus Strategy Ltd - Australasia is expected to open in April 2016 on the ground floor and Cunard House in September 2016 on the first floor.

The Cunard Building was once the Headquarters and main passenger terminal for the world’s most famous shipping company, the Cunard Steamship Company. The building was constructed between 1914 and 1917 with the firm relocating from their previous headquarters situated at the junction of Water Street and Rumford Street on the adjacent side of the strand from Pier Head. The Cunard Line vacated the building in the 1960’s, relocating to new headquarters in Southampton. It was bought by Liverpool City Council in 2014.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “I am delighted that we are able to announce the investment by Living Ventures in Cunard Building.

“It will breathe new life into the Cunard Building and the wider Pier Head, complementing the recent investment the council has made.

“It will provide a world class dining experience for residents, tourists and office workers in this part of the city and be a catalyst for further investment in the Pier Head area. We know there is a huge demand for dining at the Cunard Building, demonstrated most recently through the success of the Aquitania pop up restaurant during the Three Queens visit.

“It is also a great economic deal for the city, creating a significant number of jobs and economic spend, and will generate business rates and rental income for the city council which we can reinvest in essential services.”

Night-time shot of Three Graces - Liver Building, Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building Photo by James Maloney

Set up in 1999 by Tim Bacon and Jeremy Roberts the Living Ventures Group currently owns and operates 11 Gustos, 8 Blackhouses, 4 Alchemists, 9 New World Trading Company units; The Oast House, 6 Botanists, The Smugglers Cove and The Trading House, Australasia; Grand Pacific, Artisan and Manchester House.

Lord Carlile CBE QC, Chairman of Astutus Strategy Ltd, which is supporting Living Ventures, said: “The development is a great opportunity to bring a great building back into the growing Liverpool powerhouse. It promises to be a wonderful restaurant, and a go-to meeting place. The Mayor is to be congratulated on his support for this exciting venture."